Tooth cleaning and gum massaging device



`am. 24, 1961 L. LAwslNE ET AL 2,968,827

TOOTH CLEANING AND GUM MASSAGING vDEVICE! Filed Jan. 2s, 1958 ssheets-sheet 1 sce/ving@ 5 er Jan. 24, 1961 LAwslNE ETAL 2,968,827 TOOTHCLEANING AND GUM MASSAGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. 0 LAWS/AIE AIWAIEWVLMART/N Jan. 24, 1961 L. L AwslNE ETAL2,968,327 Toom CLEANING AND GUM NmssAGING DEVICE Filed Jan. 23, 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 3 F g 1 1 INVENT'OR.

L50 LA WJNE BY Aff/vA/Er/YLMA 277A! suive/vf@ we um TTH CLEANING AND GUMMASSAGING DEVICE Leo Lawsine, Box 4902, Cleveland Park Station,Washington, DE., and Kenneth L. Martin, 2.9 Tulip Lane, Levittown, Pa.

Filed Jan. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 710,728

1 Claim. (Cl. 15-184) This invention relates to a device for cleaningteeth or massaging the gums or both, and more particularly to a toothcleaning device especially suitable for emergency use where ordinarytoothbrushes are not readily available, or where it would be physicallyinconvenient, or socially awkward to use an ordinary brush.

One of the principal objects of our invention is the provision of animproved tooth cleaning and gum massaging device which is sanitary andcompact and can be carried at all times on the person of the user, asfor example in a pocket, and is readily available for use at any time,particularly at times during the day when it is impractical orinconvenient to use an ordinary toothbrush.

More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide animproved tooth cleaning or gum massaging device which can be carried inthe pocket or purse of the user and which carries with it a readilyavailable supply of dentifrice so that the user can easily clean histeeth or gums at odd times during the day, as for example, after lunchwhen it would be otherwise impossible or impractical to use an ordinarytoothbrush.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush orgum massager which is provided with means protecting the brush againstcontamination and contains either in the handle portion of the brush orin the cap a dentifrice compartment from which dentifrice can beconveniently applied to the brush.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush or gummassager having in place of the usual handle a sheath-like finger stallor cot which closely encompasses the finger of the user so that thebrush may be carried by the finger and inserted into the mouth forapplication to the teeth or gums, the finger serving in place of theordinary toothbrush handle to impart a brushing or massaging motion tothe brush against the teeth or gums.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a readily portablelinger-carried tooth cleaner or gum massager which, due to the absenceof a handle in the ordinary sense, permits unobtrusive use of the brushof the invention in public washrooms or other places where it might beembarrassing to the user to be observed brushing his teeth.

Other objects and their attendant advantages will become apparent whenthe following detailed description is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View, partly in elevation, ofone embodiment of our invention showing the parts of the invention inassembled condition.

Fig. 2 is a view showing the parts of the invention illustrated in Fig.l in disassembled condition for use;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view partly in elevation of asecond embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 4 is a view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3 showing itsvarious parts detached;

Patented Jan. 2li, 196i Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view,partly in elevation, of a third embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 6 is a view, partly in cross-section, of the embodiment illustratedin Fig. 5 showing the parts detached;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, partly .in elevation, ofa fourth embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 8 is a view, partly in cross-section, of the emboclimentillustrated in Fig. 7 showing the parts detached;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a form of fingercarried toothbrush;

Fig. l0 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, ofa fifth embodiment of our invention; and

Fig. l1 is a view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. l0 showing theparts thereof assembled in their position of use.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a miniature cartridge typetooth cleaning and gum massaging device comprising essentially a brushmounting finger cot or sheath 2l, a barrel cap closure 22, and adentifrice tube 23. The finger cot 21 may be molded as a unitarystructure having a hollow core or cavity at one end and a projectionconsisting of a brush 2l and a gum massager 21h at the other end. Thehollow core 21 is preferably tapered to provide a means for inserting afinger. The brush or scrubber 21a may be an integral part of the fingersheath 21 or an external attachment and may be of any suitable shape,size and construction. Thus, the brush portion may comprise extrudedstudlike embossments, pads, clumps of bristles, evenly spaced bristlesand the like. The brush material may be the same as the finger cot 2iand may be made of a suitable material such as nylon. lf desired, acellular, fibrous or porous material such as fiexible foam plastic,natural sponge, sponge rubber or the like, may be substituted for thebrush. The gum massager 2lb is an optional feature and may also be anintegral part of the finger cot 21.

The dentifrice tube 23 is of the reiillable type and is inserted with afriction or threaded lit into the finger cot 2l. The tube 23 is madepreferably of flexible plastic or other suitable material to form ahollow body adapted to contain a dentifrice 23El which may be in theform of toothpaste, tooth powder or dentifrice tablets. The container 23may be filled from standard cans or tubes to which the former may betemporarily threaded for filling purposes with the member 23 beingthereafter squeezeable to eject the dentifrice onto the brush through asmall hole at the tip. The dentifrice 23a may be retained in member 23by means of a knurled threaded cap 24 which may be molded of anysuitable material to provide a readily removable closure for container23 as well as providing means for extracting the latter from the cot orsheath Z1. If desired, a retaining swivel and chain 25 may be providedto prevent loss of the cap 24 while filling the container 23. The barrel22 provides a sanitary closure encompassing the brush and may beremovably joined to the cot by screw threads or by friction fit asshown. This enclosure 22 may be constructed of any suitable material,preferably of molded plastic, and is provided with an air vent 221 whichserves to remove any excess moisture from the interior after use. Anoptional pocket clip 22a may be supplied for carrying purposes.

Fig. 2 illustrates the manner in which the dentifrice is applied to thebrush for use. By means of slight pressure on the tube 23 its contents23a will be expelled onto the brush after a finger of the user has beeninsertedl into the sheath 21. Thereafter, the brush is applied to theteeth and given a scrubbing motion by manipulation of the finger in theusers mouth.

Fig. 3 illustrates a second form of our invention in which a retractingtype brush is utilized. The brush carrying member shown comprises a body30 which is shaped to the finger tip at one end and carries a brush 30aand gum massager 30b at the other end with the material and constructionof the elements 30a and 30b being identical with the brush 21.a and gummassager 211 of Fig. 1. The brush body 30 is attached within a fingercot 31 by means of a tension spring 36 of preferably corrosion-resistantmaterial which, during manufacture, is introduced through a normallysealed slot 31a in the upper side of the finger cot 31. The brush isextended to its position of use when the users finger is inserted intothe cot, with spring 36 retracting the brush body 30 into the cot 31when the users finger is removed therefrom after use. A cap 37 closesoff the rear end of finger cot 31 with a threaded or friction fit whenthe latter is not in use, an air vent 37a being provided in the cap forthe removal of any excess moisture from the cots interior. A barrel 32,vented at 32D and optionally provided with a pocket clip 32--, providesa sanitary enclosure for the forward end of the finger cot 31 and may beretained in the position shown in Fig. 3 by means of -a friction orthreaded t. The cap 32 may be provided with a cavity for dentifrice 32Cwith the cavity being closed by a screw cap 34 which may be molded ormachined from lany suitable material and is preferably knurled tofacilitate disassembly of barrel 32 from finger cot 31. A retainingswivel and chain attachment 35 may be provided to prevent loss of cap 34while filling the dentifrice cavity or using the dentifrice.

Fig. 4 shows a disassembled view of Fig. 3 with the brush in itsextended position of use.

Fig. 5 is substantially identical to Fig. 3 except that the finger cot31 is shown curved rather than straight Ias in Fig. 3. This arrangementmay be desirable for a more comfortable fit for the finger and forgreater ease of manipulation of the brush in the mouth than might beafforded by the straight cot described above.

Fig. 6 is identical to Fig. 4 but illustrates the curved cotconstruction of Fig. 5 in a disassembled condition in readiness for use.

Fig. 7 illustrates a fourth form of our invention similar to Fig. 3. Theformer differs from the latter in that it uses a self-opening swiveltype brush body instead of the direct acting spring loaded typeindicated in Fig. 3. The brush body 40 includes brush 40a and gummassager 40h, and is pivotally assembled to finger cot 41 by means ofbrush body pin 48. The self-opening feature is accomplished by the useof volute spring 46 prefer- -ably corrosion-resistant with one endattached to brush body 40 and the other end to pin 48.

As in the previous embodiments of the invention, the rear end of the cot41 is closed by a knurled cap 47 having a vent 47, and the barrel cap 42closing the forward end of cot 41 is provided with a cavity fordentifrice 42 and a threaded closure 44 which may be provided with akeeper chain 45. The cap 42 may be vented at 42b and if desirable, apocket clip 42a may be attached to the exterior of cap 42 as shown.

It will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 7 and 8, that when thecap 42 is removed the body 4? is swung forwardly through the slot 41abinto its position of use by the spring 46. The back edge of the brushmember 40 is curved so as to be complementary with the inner side of thecot so that this portion serves as an abutment for the extended brushbody 30 as can be clearly seen in Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a very simple form of our invention embodying a finger cot 50and integral brush 50a. The material and construction of element 50a maybe identical with brush 21a of Fig. 1. Finger cot Si) may be formed froma mold in the shape of a hollow core or cavity preferably tapered. Acarrying container for this unit may be a tube and cap assembly of'clearor colored plastic or other suitable material. The construction of thedevice of Fig. 9 may be modified by substituting a suitably curved cotfor the substantially straight cot illustrated.

Fig. l0 shows another form of our invention using a barrel 62 both as asanitary enclosure and as a handle for the brush body 60 which includesbrush 60a or gum massager 60b or both and a dentifrice cavity 60. Thematerial and construction of elements 61)2L and 60b may be identicalwith the brush 21.a and gum massager 2lb of Fig. 1. There may be afriction or threaded fit between the mating surfaces of barrel 62 andbrush body 60 in both operating and carrying positions and a step inbarrel 62 serves as a stop for the brush body in closed carryingposition. Screw cap 64 closes off dentifrice cavity and serves as a knobfor removing brush body 60 from barrel 62. An air vent 62b serves toremove any excess moisture from the interior.

Fig. 1l shows the operating position of the embodiment of Fig. 10 withbrush body 60 inserted into barrel 62 with a friction or threaded fit.Insertion for operating position is directly opposite to that for thecarrying position. A step in barrel 62 serves as a stop for the brush inboth the operating and carrying positions.

While we have herein described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, yet we desire to have it understood that we do not limitourselves to the precise details of construction herein illustrated,since it is apparent that various modifications may be made, by thoseskilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventio-nor exceeding the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A tooth brushing or gum massaging device comprising a finger cot adaptedto be carried on a users finger and whose interior tapers from an openrear end toward the forward end of said cot, said cot having an apertureat the forward end thereof, a tooth brush element normally occupying aretracted position of storage within said cot and extendable throughsaid aperture to a position of use, a body member integrally connectedto the rear of said brush member and slideably received in said cot,means on the rear of said body member adapted to be engaged by a fingerend when a users finger is inserted into the open rear end of said cotto slide said body member forwardly and extend said brush to a positionof use, and spring means within said cot acting on said body member tourge it at all times towards a position wherein said brush elementoccupies its normal retracted position of storage within said cot.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 380,080Bouton et al Mar. 27, 1888 711,075 Rench Oct. 14, 1902 1,192,182Gerstenzang July 25, 1916 1,563,031 Jones Nov. 24, 1925 1,645,965Neumerkel Oct. 18, 1927 2,168,689 Smith et al. Aug. 8, 1939 2,240,876Waterud May 6, 1941 2,399,660 Boulicault May 7, 1946 2,491,207 Preble etal. Dec. 13, 1949 2,552,415 Weber Sept. 12, 1950 2,552,714 Gardiner May15, 1951 2,596,217 Dendy May 13,V 1952 2,601,244 Boulicault June 24,1952 2,607,942 Gordon Aug. 26, 1952 2,630,812 Dendy Mar. 10, 19532,733,722 Rodd Feb. 7, 1956

